The first of the two double-ended roll on, roll off ferries to be deployed on the busy Fort Kochi-Vypeen route will be commissioned in December, while its sister vessel is expected to roll out in January.
The Kochi Corporation had inked an agreement with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) a year ago to build the two vessels, each costing Rs.3.80 crore. The first vessel is expected to be ready in July and the second in October, as per the agreement.
Each vessel can transport 50 passengers, 12 cars and four lorries or 50 passengers, 18 cars and 50 two-wheelers.
The junkar deployed now carries fewer cars, while its turnaround time after each trip is high since vehicles driven in have to be reversed at the destination – which means those that enter first leave last. This is not the case with ro-ro boats, often called a floating bridge for its convenience, since vehicles that enter first can be driven out first through the other end.
First in India
“This is the first time ro-ro vessels are being built in India. Their commissioning has been postponed by a few months due to delay in procuring the engines, which are currently being assembled. They are expected to arrive here by August,” said a senior CSL official.
Safety aspect
The clamour for safe, modern vessels on the route became louder after nine persons lost their lives when a fishing vessel rammed a ferry operating on the route in August last.
While work on the first vessel has achieved much progress, keel laying is over for the second. Many equipment were imported for their construction.
Boat jetty work is under way in Fort Kochi and Vypeen for smooth entry and exit of passengers and vehicles.
The ro-ro vessels, being built as per specifications of Indian Register of Shipping, can attain a speed of up to eight knots and take around three minutes to cross the 600-metre distance between the two islands, the official said.
Tax waiver sought
Former Mayor K.J. Sohan, a votary of water transport, said the government must waive taxes for the two vessels since transporting vehicles in them would considerably decongest the 15-km-long Fort Kochi-Thopumpady-Menaka-Vypeen road route. He also sought the formation of a company to oversee the operation and upkeep of the vessels.
As per a pact with Kochi Corporation, CSL is to deliver one vessel in July and another in October
